Official: Liverpool snap up Shaqiri

Liverpool have completed a deal to sign Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City, beating Manchester United to the Switzerland superstar’s signature.

Liverpool have confirmed the purchase of Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City. The Reds have beaten Manchester United to the winger. The Switzerland superstar arrives at Anfield for a reported fee of £13 million, despite the monetary compensation being undisclosed by the clubs in their official statement.

Xherdan Shaqiri was one of the standouts in Russia, not just for Switzerland but the 2018 FIFA World Cup in general. The winger ended the tournament with a goal and an assist, with Switzerland crashing out in the Round of 16 in a narrow loss to Sweden.

Liverpool and Manchester United have been credited with interest in the Swiss speedster, with Stoke City getting relegated and reports that Shaqiri had a bargain release clause.

Manchester United need a right winger to add to their squad. And to many, Shaqiri seems to fit the bill. Strong, pacy, a set-piece specialist, a good shooter from long range and a good finisher in general, the Swiss superstar seems to have it all. The 26-year-old even has experience of playing for a European giant to add to his already impressive resume.

Liverpool, on the other hand, needed a profile to boost their attack. Their over-reliance on Mohamed Salah saw them succumb to defeat in the UEFA Champions League final as the Egyptian had to come off in the early stages of the game after a coming together with Sergio Ramos.

Liverpool though, have managed to wrap up a deal for Shaqiri in admirable time after the Swiss were knocked out at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Now a Liverpool player, Shaqiri addressed the stature of the club and his botched move years ago in his interview to the official website.

“I’m very happy to be here. It’s a huge club with big history, big players and a fantastic coach. So I’m really glad and happy to be here.”

“As a player you always want to be on the biggest stage in football. A few years ago I wanted to come too but it didn’t happen. I’m really happy that now I’m finally here. I want to improve myself too, I want to be with the best and I want to win titles. That’s what I’m here for.”

Jurgen Klopp labelled the deal a ‘no brainer’ while admitting to being a long-time admirer of the Swiss superstar from his time in Bundesliga. The German manager closed his argument iterating that Shaqiri will be a perfect fit within the current Liverpool roster.

“Xherdan the person will fit in perfectly at Liverpool I believe. He has personality and drive – he is someone who will feed off the positive emotion of our crowd. He joins a dressing room of really good lads and I know they will welcome him with open arms and help him settle and integrate quickly.”

Manchester United fans would be gutted at losing the player at such a bargain price, that too to Liverpool. Let’s see how Shaqiri takes to his return to the biggest stage.